With the news out of Japan about the potential effect of radiation on the population, Americans are starting to ask themselves some tough questions, about weather, about energy, about our natural resources and how to protect them.

Is it reasonable to stake our future on a devilishly uncontrollable, potentially lethal technology? If we did not have other options, perhaps it would be. Could it be that "our nuclear future" is an oxymoron?

There are some simple steps you can take to become less obsessed with disaster, and yet still be compassionately involved with your fellow man. Doing these things will engage your mind, heart and being in positive, life-affirming ways.

Whether the worry is radiation poisoning or heart disease, we tend to focus more on prevention after than before an emergency. Our thinking is so consistently responsive to the crisis that is, rather than ahead of the crisis that might be.